It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

FriarReb98:Lt. Cheese Weasel: I would think you have a vested interest in NE today...???

It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

More interesting is that if Balt makes it to the show and wins, Adolf owes me a Staubach Jersey. I think he's trying not to think about that too much.

Lt. Cheese Weasel:FriarReb98: Lt. Cheese Weasel: I would think you have a vested interest in NE today...???

It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

More interesting is that if Balt makes it to the show and wins, Adolf owes me a Staubach Jersey. I think he's trying not to think about that too much.

Staubach? Really? The guy who couldn't keep the job due to the threat of Kevin Morton? Dude, go Dorsett.

FriarReb98:Lt. Cheese Weasel: FriarReb98: Lt. Cheese Weasel: I would think you have a vested interest in NE today...???

It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

More interesting is that if Balt makes it to the show and wins, Adolf owes me a Staubach Jersey. I think he's trying not to think about that too much.

Staubach? Really? The guy who couldn't keep the job due to the threat of Kevin Morton? Dude, go Dorsett.

I think you mean Craig Morton, but whatev...no, it's Staubach.........

It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

More interesting is that if Balt makes it to the show and wins, Adolf owes me a Staubach Jersey. I think he's trying not to think about that too much.

Staubach? Really? The guy who couldn't keep the job due to the threat of Kevin Morton? Dude, go Dorsett.

I think you mean Craig Morton, but whatev...no, it's Staubach.........

I had this detailed thing written up with my picks for today, chock full of statistics and probably wishful thinking, but in looking at it now it's just too long (that's what she said). So here's a much shorter version:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:Well, duh, of course the Ravens fan is going to pick Baltimore here. The much shorter version is that while this game matches strength vs. strength (the Pats' offense vs. the Ravens defense), on the other side of things New England's defense is a much greater weakness than the Rice/Flacco offensive attack. Plus I of course have to keep my favorite statistic in here: Baltimore is 7-0 this season against playoff teams, while New England is 0-2 against playoff teams not called the Denver Broncos. Look for a healthy dose of Ray Rice/Ricky Williams here along with a few deep throws against the Patriots secondary, while Baltimore goes with man coverage and some creative blitz packages to slow down Sir Uggalot and his tight end connection. Final score: 27-23

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:While we all wanted to see a Saints/Packers rematch and the inevitable race to 100 combined points it would produce, this game is equally appealing in my opinion. On the one hand you have the steady & consistent 49ers, led by a strong defense and running game, while on the other there are the streaky (but white-hot) Giants and an explosive passing attack plus defense that can get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Again strength against strength, but the difference-maker to me is that San Fran's offense is just a little better (imo) than New York's D, and the Giants just seem a little more susceptible to the turnover. Harbaugh the Younger cements his claim to Coach of the Year honors with a 26-17 victory.

So yep, I'm going with Harbowl in the Super Bowl. Anyone wanna take a stab at my pick in that one?

Harv72b:I had this detailed thing written up with my picks for today, chock full of statistics and probably wishful thinking, but in looking at it now it's just too long (that's what she said). So here's a much shorter version:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:Well, duh, of course the Ravens fan is going to pick Baltimore here. The much shorter version is that while this game matches strength vs. strength (the Pats' offense vs. the Ravens defense), on the other side of things New England's defense is a much greater weakness than the Rice/Flacco offensive attack. Plus I of course have to keep my favorite statistic in here: Baltimore is 7-0 this season against playoff teams, while New England is 0-2 against playoff teams not called the Denver Broncos. Look for a healthy dose of Ray Rice/Ricky Williams here along with a few deep throws against the Patriots secondary, while Baltimore goes with man coverage and some creative blitz packages to slow down Sir Uggalot and his tight end connection. Final score: 27-23

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:While we all wanted to see a Saints/Packers rematch and the inevitable race to 100 combined points it would produce, this game is equally appealing in my opinion. On the one hand you have the steady & consistent 49ers, led by a strong defense and running game, while on the other there are the streaky (but white-hot) Giants and an explosive passing attack plus defense that can get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Again strength against strength, but the difference-maker to me is that San Fran's offense is just a little better (imo) than New York's D, and the Giants just seem a little more susceptible to the turnover. Harbaugh the Younger cements his claim to Coach of the Year honors with a 26-17 victory.

So yep, I'm going with Harbowl in the Super Bowl. Anyone wanna take a stab at my pick in that one?

Harv72b:I had this detailed thing written up with my picks for today, chock full of statistics and probably wishful thinking, but in looking at it now it's just too long (that's what she said). So here's a much shorter version:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:Well, duh, of course the Ravens fan is going to pick Baltimore here. The much shorter version is that while this game matches strength vs. strength (the Pats' offense vs. the Ravens defense), on the other side of things New England's defense is a much greater weakness than the Rice/Flacco offensive attack. Plus I of course have to keep my favorite statistic in here: Baltimore is 7-0 this season against playoff teams, while New England is 0-2 against playoff teams not called the Denver Broncos. Look for a healthy dose of Ray Rice/Ricky Williams here along with a few deep throws against the Patriots secondary, while Baltimore goes with man coverage and some creative blitz packages to slow down Sir Uggalot and his tight end connection. Final score: 27-23

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:While we all wanted to see a Saints/Packers rematch and the inevitable race to 100 combined points it would produce, this game is equally appealing in my opinion. On the one hand you have the steady & consistent 49ers, led by a strong defense and running game, while on the other there are the streaky (but white-hot) Giants and an explosive passing attack plus defense that can get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Again strength against strength, but the difference-maker to me is that San Fran's offense is just a little better (imo) than New York's D, and the Giants just seem a little more susceptible to the turnover. Harbaugh the Younger cements his claim to Coach of the Year honors with a 26-17 victory.

So yep, I'm going with Harbowl in the Super Bowl. Anyone wanna take a stab at my pick in that one?

Don't know why so many 'experts' are saying this is the team the Patriots would want to face in a playoff game because it's a gimme win. The Baltimore D is nothing to take lightly. The Ravens also now have Bernard Pollard on their team, the guy who took out Brady back in 2008. Win or lose I'm expecting to see Brady on his butt a lot during the game.

This first game don't start until 2 cst, time for a nap and chores......already planning a very nice Pressure Cooker Pot Roast with pearl onions and mashed taters for later.....Sunday is all about having a game plan, and no hangover..

FriarReb98:Lt. Cheese Weasel: I would think you have a vested interest in NE today...???

It's amazing how much the manufactured hate between Pittsburgh and New England clouds their judgement. And it truly is manufactured, as far as I can tell, being a Patriots fan with my best friend being a Steeler fanatic.

Oh, I do have a vested interest in the Patriots today. One problem: the only team I hate more than the Patriots is the Ravens. It's like favoring puke over shiat.

I would be jaw-drop shocked if the Ravens won this one. I have been unusually calm during the build-up and my gut feeling is that the Ravens are going to be plucked and shredded.That being said, I am pathetic at gambling.

You have to go all the way back to 2004 to find a game that New England won by more than 7, and only twice have they combined for more than 50 (the 2007 game above, and 1996 when the Ravens were in their first season of not being the Cleveland Browns).

Setting aside who'll actually win, if I were going to put money on the game then I'd take the Ravens at +7.

You have to go all the way back to 2004 to find a game that New England won by more than 7, and only twice have they combined for more than 50 (the 2007 game above, and 1996 when the Ravens were in their first season of not being the Cleveland Browns).

Setting aside who'll actually win, if I were going to put money on the game then I'd take the Ravens at +7.

Pulling out a gambler/bookie phrase when presented with history: "THEY'RE DUE!"

FriarReb98:Right now I'm picturing Harv sitting at the computer looking and sounding like Ned Flanders when Bart answered "Jesus."

I was actually typing out a faux news report on Goodell disqualifying every NFL team except the Broncos and pitting Tebow against retarded chimps in the Super Bowl, but then I figured out it wasn't that funny.

Harv72b:FriarReb98: Right now I'm picturing Harv sitting at the computer looking and sounding like Ned Flanders when Bart answered "Jesus."

I was actually typing out a faux news report on Goodell disqualifying every NFL team except the Broncos and pitting Tebow against retarded chimps in the Super Bowl, but then I figured out it wasn't that funny.

Harv72b:I had this detailed thing written up with my picks for today, chock full of statistics and probably wishful thinking, but in looking at it now it's just too long (that's what she said). So here's a much shorter version:

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:Well, duh, of course the Ravens fan is going to pick Baltimore here. The much shorter version is that while this game matches strength vs. strength (the Pats' offense vs. the Ravens defense), on the other side of things New England's defense is a much greater weakness than the Rice/Flacco offensive attack. Plus I of course have to keep my favorite statistic in here: Baltimore is 7-0 this season against playoff teams, while New England is 0-2 against playoff teams not called the Denver Broncos. Look for a healthy dose of Ray Rice/Ricky Williams here along with a few deep throws against the Patriots secondary, while Baltimore goes with man coverage and some creative blitz packages to slow down Sir Uggalot and his tight end connection. Final score: 27-23

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:While we all wanted to see a Saints/Packers rematch and the inevitable race to 100 combined points it would produce, this game is equally appealing in my opinion. On the one hand you have the steady & consistent 49ers, led by a strong defense and running game, while on the other there are the streaky (but white-hot) Giants and an explosive passing attack plus defense that can get a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Again strength against strength, but the difference-maker to me is that San Fran's offense is just a little better (imo) than New York's D, and the Giants just seem a little more susceptible to the turnover. Harbaugh the Younger cements his claim to Coach of the Year honors with a 26-17 victory.

So yep, I'm going with Harbowl in the Super Bowl. Anyone wanna take a stab at my pick in that one?

.....Once again, I enjoy reading your analysis. I would like to be reading it over a Waffle House breakfast, but, hey, this will do:-)